Image Description from historic lecture booklet: "Japan furnishes about 40% of the worlds silk. It is almost as important for the farmer as rice culture. Until recent years China stood first in the world in silk production, but Japan now holds that honor. Japanese farmers of middle and lower grade would hardly be able to maintain themselves without it. By rearing the worms, the farmers can at least double the amount attained from ordinary farming alone.

In effect, silk culture is generally the important by-work of the farmers engaged in it. In former times they spun the silk themselves; now they generally sell the cocoons and leave the after-process to larger, concentrated concerns. SO the farmer, his little wistful wife, his dainty daughters and his sons become the admiring slaves of his royal highness the silk-worm."

Original Collection: Visual Instruction Department Lantern Slides

Item Number: P217:set 060 043

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